DAMARCUS BEASLEY and his Chicago Fire teammates have blasted Major League Soccer for denying the winger the chance to play for Saints.

Rupert Lowe has confirmed that MLS, who own the contract of every professional player in America, have turned down what he described as a "substantial offer" for Beasley.

Beasley, a 22-year-old seasoned American international left winger, who is also reported to be interesting Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven, was angry by the decision of the MLS.

He said: "I'm disappointed. Southampton came in and put in good money and I'm still in the MLS."

Beasley's teammates are also angry. Fire defender CJ Brown added: "He's done a lot of good things for this league and he's an incredible soccer player.

"He's done nothing but whatever the league has asked him to do. They need to give him this opportunity.

"He's spent his time here, he's made this league what it is. They should let him go like they let everyone else go.

"He's always stated he wanted to go to Europe. Everyone knows it. He's been here for five years. When do you give him his chance?

"The league needs to open their eyes because people start seeing that."

Lowe has said that Saints will not up their bid for Beasley and the only hope of getting him to St Mary's appears to be a change of heart from the MLS, who are aware their man could walk away for nothing when his contract expires next summer.

For their part, the MLS say transfer negotiations are an ongoing process.

MLS deputy commissioner, Ivan Gazidis, said: "There continues to be a great deal of interest in young American players, including DaMarcus, from top clubs around the world.

"We can confirm we recently received an offer from Southampton for DaMarcus, but it was not at a level that MLS could accept."

However, another of Beasley's Fire colleagues, Jim Curtin, replied: "I'm sure DaMarcus is really upset. It's been going on for the past three years about playing in Europe.

"But to actually hear that someone made a bid for him and the league wouldn't let him go, I just feel terrible for DaMarcus. I'm sure he's really upset.

"Now that you hear offers are being thrown at him and he is being held back and denied, that's not right."